bryston 9b st or sst?

Hi all Just got a new mc-1... Now trying to figure out what amp to get . Leaning to the bryston 9b-st($2500) or 9b-sst($3100). Any thought on one or the other? Or any feelings on a even better amp for me to look at? The 20 years warranty and great support is very appealing.

I have a 9B-ST for my center and surrounds and a 4B-ST for my mains. I am very happy with the Bryston amps. The changes to the 9B-ST to the SST are some circuitry changes and a new faceplate. The power rating for the 9B has NOT changed. Whether or not the new series is worth the extra $600.00, is up to you.

I had some service issues with Bryston recently. Do a search here on Bryston to find a thread I posted recently. Their service is outstanding.

BTW, I also have use a Lexicon MC-1 and am extremely happy with the combination.

Proceed and Theta exhibit better top end response, open and airy. Not forward like Bryston (again IMHO and to my ears). Fuller midrange and not dry like the Bryston. The bottom end is a tie. In any case this is according to my ears when listening to these amps in my system with Vienna Acoustic/Sonus Faber speakers. In a nut shell to my ears Bryston sounds analytical and electronic while Proceed and Theta sound musical and smooth. Again this is to my ears.

Hmmmm I thanks for the response so far guys. I do think IM going to have to look at the Proceed amp5... Though you both are right that these amps are all great(bryston,Proceed, and theta)--i have heard from a few folks that the Proceed specifically does have those good characteristics that was talked about above--"more musical--etc"...But no matter what i end up with i think im in the ballpark as far as getting something good goes. But anyone else that has a feeling about what amp to get--please post-- guess right now its looking like bryston and Proceed are the two--time will tell

I'd say that clarifies a "difference" which perhaps leads to a preference on your part. However, when I read "step above", that infers to me that the product (the thing making the sound) is superior.

Exactly, in my mind a 'step above' means superior sound. Smooth musical sound, in my mind, is superior to dry analytical sound, different to some, superior to others. You may prefer to call it different but I prefer to call it superior. Both are subjective terms so they vary from person to person. Lets just think of it as difference of opinion. And yes the product thats making the musical sound is somehow superior, IMHO, to the one making the analytical sound not necessarily in terms of build quality ( as Bryston IMO makes one of the best build quality amps) but perhaps in terms of design or some other feature beyond my comprehension.

I have owned 25 different amps and mostly the differences were minor, that is untill I tried the lexcion 212/312 amps (2 and 3 channel versions of bryston 3bst)..I noticed major differences in about 10 seconds..tighter and more hard hitting bass, more realistc cymbals, DEAD quite background even at full volume, incredible clearity etc. I was worried about the occasional review that said it was edgy/bright and not so musical...PULEASE, couldnt disagree more, while its not warm it is how it should be, it just amplifies without putting any color on the sound (if you want warm , colored sound look elsewhere)

I used to want a "warm" amp or "musical" amp as to cover up inefficiences in other areas of my system. I have since changed my mind(after owning 25 amps:b ). An amp shouldnt have a sound of its own!, if I want to make my system more musical in say two channel well then I will add a smooth dac, cd player etc., if my turntable dosent have the exact sound I want then I will change the cartridge, phono stage.If HT isnt up to specs I would then look at another processor. I must say that I spun my wheels looking for a musical amp but in the end it would be best suited for only one portion of my system( I dont want warm in HT, I want resolution , clearity, power, neutrality). Again think about getting an amp that has no sound of its own and that has the least noise, plus enough watts to run your speakers, it is the way to go imho.

Again think about getting an amp that has no sound of its own and that has the least noise, plus enough watts to run your speakers, it is the way to go imho.

Getting an amp with no sound of its own is easier said than done. I have strugled over the years to find an amp that doesnt add any of its own color and after a while given up on the quest as there is no absolute standard on what 'colored' is? How do we know an amp is neutral unless we have a real mastering session to compare it to? Thats something I fail to understand. I can only characterize the amps as one being warmer than the other or one being brighter than the other, which in this case being the Bryston brighter than the Proceed, IMHO. Thats the best I can asses with my ears but if someone were to ask me which is closer to the real mastering then I would be at a loss. So neutrality, while the most sough after attribute in a system is the most difficult to attain, or must I say near impossible in absolute terms. So let your ears decide which sound you like best and leave neutrality/colored etc in the back seat. After all this is a subjective hobby and one must only listen to others advice but buy what his/her ears like. So, IMHO if you are in the market for an excellent 5 channel amp it behooves you to try out the Proceed and Theta before you make your final buying decision, because an amp will probably be the longest surviving component of your system (along with your speakers).

From what I am reading (will try to get a first hand experience), the Bryston would make a great companion of the Mirage M5 speakers (which are perhaps slightly laid back), and perhaps the newer OM series as well.